| After making careers out of all my passions: | | | | Branson, one of my heroes. He founded his |
| Business Growth, Branding, Marketing and golf, | | | | empire with the launch of Virgin Records and has |
| I've come to notice a lot of commonalities | | | | taken the Virgin brand into many business |
| between them. Whether you're taking a crucial | | | | categories that are totally unrelated and |
| golf shot or an important business decision there | | | | succeeded. Why? Because the Virgin brand has a |
| are certain steps that you must know if you | | | | focal point for all its expansion: it only enters |
| want to guarantee success. People often ask me | | | | markets where the current players are taking an |
| to speak at meetings and conferences about | | | | advantage of the consumers. So how focused |
| these steps which I've set out in my book 'You | | | | are you on making your business the very best it |
| can't see your Backswing - How to Win at | | | | can be? Are you sure that any new venture is |
| Business & Golf'. I talk about an 18-step process | | | | compatible with your current business? Don't lose |
| towards success (one for each hole on the | | | | focus. |
| fairway of course). | | | | What do the great golfers know about |
| Do you have the stamina to be a winner? | | | | commitment? |
| The first six steps are preparatory but none of | | | | Commitment is a powerful enabler for success. |
| them are things you do only once. Successful | | | | Watch any great golfer as he commits to making |
| people go through these steps time and again, | | | | the shot. There's no fear, no holding back... he just |
| refreshing their thinking, renewing their | | | | makes the shot, win lose or draw. When Ernie Els |
| commitment, revising their marketing, updating | | | | steps up the tee, do you think that in his mind he |
| their products. Winners are in it for the long haul: | | | | is thinking, "If I play well, get a few friendly |
| 1. Start with thinking | | | | bounces and maybe the rest of the field slip up, |
| 2. Have an unfinished strategy | | | | then I could win this tournament"? Not a chance! |
| 3. Action plan and tool kit | | | | He is thinking that there is no way that I will lose |
| 4. Perfect practice | | | | this event, I am going to play smart, pace myself, |
| 5. Focus | | | | work out what I need to do to win and just do it. |
| 6. Commitment | | | | And the chances are that he will win, because he |
| If these steps sound intense, that's because they | | | | is so confident. He hits his shots like he just |
| are. As great golfers are about to take their shot | | | | cannot fail. |
| you'll see an almost inhuman level of focus. They | | | | Commitment is the most exhilarating |
| block out those 20,000 fans at that hole and the | | | | Be committed in your business; be committed to |
| 100 million viewers on TV around the world and | | | | being the very best at what you do. Build a |
| focus on the shot; their whole world is all about | | | | business and a brand that you and your |
| this one shot, right now. I learned the following | | | | employees are proud of and a brand that your |
| statement from a great business leader and | | | | customers will go out of their way to buy. Clear |
| friend, Jack Daly; he told me "focus precedes | | | | your mind of all doubt. Believe that you are going |
| success", and it works in so many ways. | | | | to hit the shot. Then, it's time to just let it go, |
| Focus precedes success | | | | just like Tiger does. He knows that he has done |
| When businesses are seeing a moderate amount | | | | everything possible to make it happen: all the |
| of success and they fall into the trap of | | | | preparation, the strategy development, the |
| expanding into different business areas. Big | | | | planning, the practice. Make your business |
| mistake!! Not many people get this right and when | | | | decisions without fear of failure and you just |
| it goes wrong it can cause the whole thing to | | | | might succeed as a golfer and a business leader. |
| collapse. One exception to this rule is Sir Richard | | | | |